System for securing a board

ABSTRACT

A system for securing a board is disclosed. The system comprises an attachment element, wherein the attachment element is adhesively affixed to the board and a cable, wherein the cable is capable of being coupled to the attachment element. Accordingly, the present invention provides an easy to use system that can securely lock the board when the board is not being used. In addition, the present invention also provides a tether/leash-type mechanism for connecting the board to the rider.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to snowboarding and moreparticularly to a system for securing a board.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In recent years, the sport of snowboarding has steadily increasedin popularity. Snowboarding involves the use of a wide, flat ski-likerunner upon which a rider/snowboarder places both feet. The rider thenmaneuvers the snowboard down the ski slope using a constant motion ofhis knees and ankles. FIG. 1 is an illustration of a conventionalsnowboard 10. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the snowboard 10 includesmounting holes 12 wherein a rider can mount boot-binding fixtures 14.

[0003] However, along with the increase in the popularity ofsnowboarding comes in increase in snowboard theft. When a rider isresting, eating lunch, shopping, etc., he has a tendency to put thesnowboard down and leave it unattended. Unless the snowboard is lockedto a stationary object, an unscrupulous individual will more than likelyseize any opportunity to pilfer an unlocked snowboard.

[0004] Though snowboard locks have been available on the market for sometime now, they are rarely used on the slopes. This is due to the factthat most of the existing designs require that the snowboarder carryover three feet of cable and a lock in their pocket. This both offsetsthe snowboarders balance and can cause bruising if the snowboarder fallsthe wrong way and lands on the lock/cable.

[0005] A further aspect of the sport of snowboarding is the notion thatthe snowboard should somehow be connected to the rider. Many ski resortsand snowboarding areas stringently require that a rider must have someform of tether or leash-type mechanism connecting the snowboard to therider when the rider is performing maneuvers. The incorporation of thetether/leash-type mechanism with the snowboard prevents the snowboardfrom causing injury to a third-party should the snowboard becomedetached from the rider during a maneuver.

[0006] Accordingly, what is needed is a device that can securely lockthe snowboard when the snowboard is not being used while at the sametime provide a tether/leash-type mechanism for connecting the snowboardto the rider. The present invention addresses such a need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A system for securing a board is disclosed. The system comprisesan attachment element, wherein the attachment element is adhesivelyaffixed to the board and a cable, wherein the cable is capable of beingcoupled to the attachment element.

[0008] Accordingly, the present invention provides an easy to use systemthat can securely lock the board when the board is not being used. Inaddition, the present invention also provides a tether/leash-typemechanism for connecting the board to the rider.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is an illustration of a conventional snowboard.

[0010]FIG. 2 shows a system in accordance with the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 3 shows an attachment element in accordance with the presentinvention.

[0012]FIG. 4 shows the attachment element in accordance with the presentinvention whereby the looped portion of the cable is coupled thereto.

[0013]FIG. 5 shows a locking element in accordance with the presentinvention.

[0014]FIG. 5(a) shows the lock post in an open position.

[0015]FIG. 5(b) shows the lock post in a closed position.

[0016]FIG. 6 shows the attachment element appropriately affixed near thecenter of the snowboard wherein the cable is attached to the attachmentelement via the looped portion and the locking element is clipped to theriders boot.

[0017]FIG. 7(a) shows how a rider on a chair lift securely wedges hisboot between the snowboard and the cable.

[0018]FIG. 7(b) illustrates the level snowboard.

[0019]FIG. 7(c) shows a rider sitting on the cable/locking element.

[0020]FIG. 8(a) shows a rider carrying a snowboard over his shoulder.

[0021]FIG. 8(b) shows a rider carrying a snowboard over his head andshoulder.

[0022]FIG. 9(a) shows how the system in accordance with the presentinvention is utilized to lock a snowboard to a railing.

[0023]FIG. 9(b) is an exploded view of the attachment element whereinthe loop portion and the locking element are coupled thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The present invention provides a system for securing a board. Thefollowing description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill inthe art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context ofa patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to thepreferred embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in theart and the generic principles herein may be applied to otherembodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limitedto the embodiments shown but is to be accorded the widest scopeconsistent with the principles and features described herein.

[0025] The present invention is disclosed in the context of a preferredembodiment. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is asystem for securing a board. Preferably, the board comprises asnowboard. Accordingly, the system in accordance with the presentinvention provides a tether/leash type mechanism for connecting thesnowboard to the rider. Furthermore, the system in accordance with thepresent invention can securely lock the snowboard to a stationary objectwhen the snowboard is not in use.

[0026] Although the following description of the preferred embodiment ofthe system in accordance with the present invention is described in thecontext of being utilized with a snowboard, one of ordinary skill in theart will readily recognize that the system in accordance with thepresent invention could be utilized in conjunction with any board (i.e.ski, surfboard, boogie board, etc.) and still remain within the spiritand scope of the present invention.

[0027] For a further description of the system in accordance with thepresent invention, please refer now to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows a system 20in accordance with the present invention. The system 20 comprises acable 25 and an attachment element 22. The cable 25 comprises a firstend 23 and a second end 26. Preferably, the first end comprises a loopedportion 24 and the second end 26 comprises a locking element 27. Thelooped portion 24 is capable of being removeably coupled to theattachment element 22 wherein the attachment element 22 is affixed to asnowboard 28.

[0028] For a further description of the attachment element 22, pleaserefer now to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows an attachment element 22 in accordancewith the present invention. The attachment element 22 is preferably madeof a hard plastic material that is capable of maintaining its tensilestrength in cold weather. A preferred material is Xenoy. The attachmentelement 22 comprises a hinge element 32 and an opening 34. The hingeelement 32 is preferably made of a metal material that is molded intothe attachment element 22 during the manufacture of the attachmentelement 22.

[0029] The ends of the hinge element 22 are offset thereby allowing thehinge element 22 to operate in a spring-like fashion. The looped portion24 is easily coupled to the attachment element 22 by depressing thehinge element 22 with the looped portion 24 of the cable 25 and slidingthe looped portion 24 through the opening 34. Once the looped portion 24is coupled to the attachment element 22, the cable 25 can easily pivotin any direction. FIG. 4 shows the attachment element 22 in accordancewith the present invention whereby the looped portion 24 of the cable 25is coupled thereto.

[0030] For a better understanding of the locking element 27, pleaserefer now to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 shows a locking element 27 in accordancewith the present invention. The locking element 27 is also preferablymade of a hard plastic material that is capable of maintaining itstensile strength in cold weather. A preferred material is Xenoy. Thelocking element comprises a lock post 42, a lock post controller 44 anda lock 46. The lock post 42 is preferably spring-loaded whereby the lockpost controller 44 is utilized to interchangeable move the lock post 42between an open and closed position. FIG. 5(a) shows the lock post 42 inan open position and FIG. 5(b) shows the lock post 42 in a closedposition.

[0031] The attachment element 22 should be appropriately mounted on thesnowboard in order for the system in accordance with the presentinvention to function optimally. Snowboards are typically designed withmultiple mounting holes, so that the rider can appropriately mount theboot-binding fixtures according to the conditions. For example, on ahard pack day a rider will move their bindings towards the front of thesnowboard so that the rider can better maneuver the snowboard. On a deeppowder day, the boot-binding fixtures are moved back towards the tail ofthe board to help keep the rider's weight back and their board's tip upon top of the snow.

[0032] Consequently, in order to properly mount the attachment element22, the front binding is preferably moved to the mounting holes closestto the rear of the snowboard. From this position, the rider places hisboot into the front boot-binding fixture and clips the locking elementonto the bootlaces closest to the rider's toes. The looped portion 24 ofthe cable 25 is then wrapped once around the boot and extending backtowards the center of the snowboard. If the rider's stance is with hisleft foot forward, the cable 25 should wrap clockwise around the boot.If the rider's stance is with his right foot forward, the cable 25should wrap counter clockwise around the boot. The attachment element 22should then be affixed near the center of the snowboard wherein thecable 25, once attached to the attachment element 22 via the loopedportion 24, has enough slack so as not to constrict the rider's frontfoot when he is leaning into turns. The slack in the cable 25 can beadjusted by clipping the locking element 27 onto bootlaces higher up onthe rider's boot. FIG. 6 shows the attachment element 22 appropriatelyaffixed near the center of the snowboard 28 wherein the cable 25 isattached to the attachment element 22 via the looped portion 24 and thelocking element 27 is clipped to the riders boot 29. Additionally, ifthe rider needs to move the bindings forward, the locking element 27 canbe clipped to the rider's boot at a different location to accommodatefor the adjustment.

[0033] The actual physical mounting process of the attachment element 22is fairly simple. First, the consumer will have to clean the area on theboard where the attachment element 22 is to be attached. This is bestaccomplished with rubbing alcohol or similar cleaning product. Theattachment element 22 is then adhesively attached to the snowboard. Apreferred adhesive system is manufactured by 3M. In such a system, anapplicator much like a felt pen is used to apply a primer fluid to thearea on the board where the attachment element 22 is to be attached.This dries quickly leaving a tacky layer on the snowboard. Next, a pieceof double-sided tape is preferably attached to the bottom of theattachment element 22. The attachment element 22 is then affixed to thearea where the primer fluid was applied. Direct downward pressure isthen applied to the attachment element 22. After 24 hours, the adhesivequalities of such a system reach full strength wherein it is virtuallyimpossible to remove the attachment element 22 from the snowboard.

[0034] The system in accordance with the present invention offersseveral advantages. First it functions as a leash. Most resorts requirethat snowboarders use some sort of leash or restraining strap with thesnowboard in order to prevent the snowboard from causing injury to athird-party should the snowboard become detached from the rider during amaneuver. Accordingly, the system in accordance with the presentinvention provides this functionality to the snowboard rider.

[0035] Another advantage in using the system in accordance with thepresent invention is that the attachment element 22 replaces theconventional stomp pad. Conventional stomp pads are usually made ofrubber compounds and are glued onto the snowboard between the bindingsnear the rear binding. Before getting onto a chair lift, snowboardersmust release their rear foot from it's binding in order to be able toscoot through the chair lift line. Upon reaching the top of the lift,the rider steps onto the stomp pad to maintain control while slidingdown the ramp. After dismounting from the chair lift, snowboarders mustthen reattach their rear binding. Before this is done, the stomp pad isused to clear snow and ice chunks from the bottom of the boot.Accordingly, through the appropriate placement of the attachment element22, the attachment element 22 can be utilized to provide theabove-described functionality of the conventional stomp pad.

[0036] Once on the chair lift, one of the most important features of thesystem in accordance with the present invention is observed. Becausesnowboarders have to remove their rear boot from it's binding to scootthemselves through lift lines, the snowboard tends to dangle from onefoot during the chair lift ride. This is a very unbalanced weight(typically 20 lbs), and causes severe pain to the attached foot. Everysnowboarder suffers from “chair lift deadfoot,” wherein the musclesalong the outer edge of the front foot and leg can cramp and wear out,causing the snowboarder to lose more and more control as the dayprogresses. Furthermore, snowboarders have problems on chair liftskeeping their snowboards from banging into other people's equipment.Skis are particularly vulnerable to the free swinging diagonal hang of asnowboard.

[0037] The system in accordance with the present invention addressesthese problems by allowing the rider to support and level the tail endof the snowboard during the chair lift ride. After the rider gets on thechair lift, he can slip his free boot toe under the cable and slide itback towards the attachment element in order to securely wedge the bootbetween the board and the cable. This levels the board and equallydivides the weight of the snowboard between both of the riders feet.FIG. 7(a) shows how a rider 70 on a chair lift 72 securely wedges hisboot between the snowboard 74 and the cable 76 and FIG. 7(b) illustratesthe level snowboard 74′. Accordingly, just before dismounting the chairlift, the rider slips his foot free from the cable, and slides down theramp normally.

[0038] If the chair lift ride is to be shared with a skier, the systemin accordance with the present invention can be utilized to help keepthe skis and board from banging against each other, as well as levelingoff the tail. After detaching the boot from the rear binding, the riderunclips the locking element, and unwraps the cable from his front boot.Once on the chair lift, the rider can sit on the cable/locking elementand control the tail end of the board. FIG. 7(c) shows a rider 80sitting on the cable/locking element 82. Alternatively, the lockingelement can be held by the rider or it could be clipped onto the rider'sbelt.

[0039] Additionally, the system in accordance with the present inventioneasily adapts as a carrying strap for the snowboard. With the loopedportion of the cable inserted into the attachment element, the lockingelement can be clipped onto the front binding. The rider can then pullthe cable over his shoulder. FIG. 8(a) shows a rider 90 carrying asnowboard 92 over his shoulder.

[0040] Alternatively, if the rider wants to carry his snowboard and havehis hands free, he can pull the strap over their head and a shoulder andthe board will lay across their back. FIG. 8(b) shows a rider 95carrying a snowboard 96 over his head and shoulder. This is aparticularly attractive feature for riders who like to hike off of thetrails for fresh powder runs, and need their hands free for scramblingand clearing a path.

[0041] The system in accordance with the present invention also servesas a means for securely locking the snowboard to a stationary object.With the looped portion still coupled to the attachment element, thecable can be run around a railing or other solid object and the lockingelement is then coupled to the attachment element. The lock post is thenlocked in the closed position. FIG. 9(a) shows how the system inaccordance with the present invention is utilized to lock a snowboard100 to a railing 102. FIG. 9(b) is an exploded view of the attachmentelement 104 wherein the looped portion 106 and the locking element 108are coupled thereto.

[0042] Although the present invention has been described in accordancewith the embodiments shown, one of ordinary skill in the art willreadily recognize that there could be variations to the embodiments andthose variations would be within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. Accordingly, many modifications may be made by one ofordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for securing a board comprising: anattachment element, wherein the attachment element is adhesively affixedto the board; and a cable, wherein the cable is capable of being coupledto the attachment element.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the cablefurther comprises a locking element.
 3. The system of claim 2 whereinthe locking element comprises a lock post and a lock post controllercoupled to the lock post.
 4. The system of claim 3 wherein the lockingelement is made of a plastic material.
 5. The system of claim 4 whereinthe plastic material comprises Xenoy.
 6. The system of claim 2 whereinthe cable comprises a looped portion, the looped portion being capableof being coupled to the attachment element.
 7. The system of claim 6wherein the attachment element comprises a hinge element.
 8. The systemof claim 7 wherein the hinge element operates in a spring-like fashion.9. The system of claim 8 wherein the hinge element is molded into theattachment element.
 10. The system of claim 8 wherein the attachmentelement is made of a plastic material.
 11. The system of claim 10wherein the plastic material comprises Xenoy.
 12. The system of claim 3or 6 wherein the board comprises a snowboard.
 13. The system of claim 3or 6 wherein the board comprises a surfboard.
 14. The system of claim 3or 6 wherein the board comprises a ski.
 15. A system for securing aboard comprising: an attachment element, wherein the attachment elementis adhesively affixed to the board; and a cable, the cable having afirst end, wherein the first end comprises a looped portion capable ofbeing coupled to the attachment element, and a second end wherein thesecond end comprises a locking element, wherein the locking elementcomprises a lock post and a lock post controller coupled to the lockpost.
 16. The system of claim 15 wherein the locking element is made ofa plastic material.
 17. The system of claim 16 wherein the plasticmaterial comprises Xenoy.
 18. The system of claim 15 wherein theattachment element comprises a hinge element.
 19. The system of claim 18wherein the hinge element operates in a spring-like fashion.
 20. Thesystem of claim 19 wherein the hinge element is molded into theattachment element.
 21. The system of claim 20 wherein the attachmentelement is made of a plastic material.
 22. The system of claim 21wherein the plastic material comprises Xenoy.
 23. The system of claim 16or 18 wherein the board comprises a snowboard.
 24. The system of claim16 or 18 wherein the board comprises a surfboard.
 25. The system ofclaim 16 or 18 wherein the board comprises a ski.
 26. A system forsecuring a board comprising: an attachment element, wherein theattachment element is adhesively affixed to the board, the attachmentelement comprising a hinge element, wherein the hinge element is moldedinto the attachment element and operates in a spring-like fashion, theattachment element being made of a plastic material; and a cable, thecable having a first end, wherein the first end comprises a loopedportion capable of being coupled to the attachment element, and a secondend, wherein the second end comprises a locking element, the lockingelement being made of the plastic material, wherein the locking elementcomprises a lock, a lock post, and a lock post controller.
 27. Thesystem of claim 26 wherein the board comprises a snowboard.
 28. Thesystem of claim 26 wherein the board comprises a surfboard.
 29. Thesystem of claim 26 wherein the board comprises a ski.